8 20-0494 Subject: Transportation Network Companies Trip Tax Ballot Measure
From: Council President Kaplan
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution On The City Council's Own Motion Submitting To The Voters At The General Municipal Election On November 3, 2020, A Proposed Ordinance To Impose A General Tax On Users Of Transportation Network Companies At A Rate Of 50 Cents For Private Trips And 25 Cents For Pool Trips; And Directing The City Clerk To Take Any And All Actions Necessary Under Law To Prepare For And Conduct The November 3, 2020 General Municipal Election
Kelly Obranowicz, Transportation Policy Manager, Bay Area Council
over 4 years ago
The Bay Area Council respectfully requests that the Oakland City Council delay taking action on the TNC Trip Tax Ballot Measure. While we appreciate the City Council being receptive to comments received over the last two weeks regarding this tax, we believe a more robust stakeholder engagement process is necessary to implement this tax in a fair and equitable manner. We encourage Oakland to delay taking action as Emeryville has done and to engage in a stakeholder process similar to the year-long process San Francisco implemented previously. The Bay Area Council would be happy to assist in a collaborative data sharing process between the TNCs and the City of Oakland, as we have successfully done in San Francisco, to help Oakland develop the tax. In the midst of the current global pandemic, the community at large, and in particular many essential workers, are relying on TNC services more than ever to protect their health and get to their destinations in a timely manner. Now is not the time to impose a financial burden on this community, especially a burden which may prevent disadvantaged communities from safely traveling to their essential jobs. Any tax ultimately imposed should also be dedicated to viable transportation solutions given the major impact COVID-19 is having on our transit systems. Until the City engages in a collaborative stakeholder engagement process to address these issues we respectfully request the Council delay taking any action on this item.
The Bay Area Council respectfully requests that the Oakland City Council delay taking action on the TNC Trip Tax Ballot Measure. While we appreciate the City Council being receptive to comments received over the last two weeks regarding this tax, we believe a more robust stakeholder engagement process is necessary to implement this tax in a fair and equitable manner. We encourage Oakland to delay taking action as Emeryville has done and to engage in a stakeholder process similar to the year-long process San Francisco implemented previously. The Bay Area Council would be happy to assist in a collaborative data sharing process between the TNCs and the City of Oakland, as we have successfully done in San Francisco, to help Oakland develop the tax. In the midst of the current global pandemic, the community at large, and in particular many essential workers, are relying on TNC services more than ever to protect their health and get to their destinations in a timely manner. Now is not the time to impose a financial burden on this community, especially a burden which may prevent disadvantaged communities from safely traveling to their essential jobs. Any tax ultimately imposed should also be dedicated to viable transportation solutions given the major impact COVID-19 is having on our transit systems. Until the City engages in a collaborative stakeholder engagement process to address these issues we respectfully request the Council delay taking any action on this item.